Hello everyone!This next hike will be a point to point covering some of the newest sections of the Patriot's Path system! We will cover some stuff we've covered on past hikes, but also a few new things!
We will meet at 9 am at the McDonalds in Flanders NJ, which is near to the end of the Columbia Trail, part of our route. This McDonalds is located at 293 US Highway 206, Flanders, NJ 07836.
Once together, we will shuttle as few cars as possible to Mendham vicinity where we'll begin on the Patriot's Path west, in Dismal Harmony Natural Area. This area leads past some old camp ruins. We then pass Clyde Potts Reservoir, then head up into the Randolph Township parks. The trail then leads on paved paths to Heisteins Park. From here, there is reportedly a new section to Ironia that we will follow.
From Ironia, we descend to the former Chester Branch of the Lackawanna Railroad. The Patriot's Path used to follow it directly across Rt 206, which many of you will remember we have hiked many times. This time though, we follow new trail up to Chester, and our friend Teun will help guide us through the former telephone pole farm on the trail's new route. I hear tell there is a great view from this property.
The trail then passes through the town of Chester, a lovely town to walk through, not like boring road walks elsewhere.
From there, we follow old CNJ rail beds and such past the former site of Chester Furnace (pictured) where people have been piling up the ruins in an attractive fashion and continue to Tanners Brook section, another new part of Patriot's Path that Teun helps to maintain.
We will follow the trail to Columbia Trail and turn right toward Bartley and Flanders.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions! M'ke 908 343 8374 or sneezehorse@hotmail.com
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